Please check that your current browser is up-to-date.

Thank you for visiting navy.com – the official recruitment site of America's Navy. We have recently made technological updates to our site in an effort to provide a better interactive experience. To enjoy the best possible experience, we recommend that you consider upgrading to one of the following versions (or higher) of any of these popular browsers:

Environmental Health

Environmental Health

Navy environmental health specialists help protect servicemembers’ health and safety by preventing and controlling the spread of disease. They gain exceptional experience in countless locations worldwide. Perform cutting-edge research using the latest technology. And become a part of something much bigger than just a group of coworkers.

Navy environmental health specialists help protect servicemembers’ health and safety by preventing and controlling the spread of disease. They gain exceptional experience in countless locations worldwide. Perform cutting-edge research using the latest technology. And become a part of something much bigger than just a group of coworkers.

Navy Health Care Specialists may serve at any one of more than 250 Navy and medical facilities around the globe, from Hawaii to Japan, Germany to Guam, and Washington, D.C., to Washington state.

As an Environmental Health Officer, you could work at one of the highly acclaimed National Naval Medical Centers in Bethesda, Md.; Portsmouth, Va.; and San Diego, Calif. Or you could provide support to pilots and air crews aboard one of two dedicated hospital ships: the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy.

You could even conduct research at the Navy Environmental Health Center (NEHC) in Portsmouth, Va.

Physicians. Dentists. Nurses. Specialists. Be part of something far bigger than the title you hold or the community you serve.

Serving part-time as a Reservist, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Environmental Health Officers in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes. This gives you the flexibility to expand your profession in the Navy without compromising your civilian practice at home.

For Annual Training, Environmental Health Officers may serve anywhere in the world, whether at sea, in hospitals stateside, or on bases in countries around the world.

Upon completion of college or graduate school, those pursuing an Environmental Health Officer position are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, R.I. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Here they learn about the military structure of the U.S. Navy, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development and military etiquette.

Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance.

Most of what you do in the Navy Reserve is considered training. The basic Navy Reserve commitment involves training a minimum of one weekend a month (referred to as drilling) and two weeks a year (referred to as Annual Training) – or the equivalent.

Environmental Health Officers in the Navy Reserve serve in an Officer role. Before receiving the ongoing professional training that comes with this job, initial training requirements must first be met.

For current or former Navy Officers (NAVET): Prior experience satisfies the initial leadership training requirement – so you will not need to go through Officer Training again.

For current or former Officers of military branches other than the Navy (OSVET), as well as for Officer candidates without prior military experience: You will need to meet the initial leadership training requirement by attending the 12-day Direct Commission Officer (DCO) School in Newport, R.I. This will count as your first Annual Training.

With flexible training options, Medical Service Corps Officers in the Navy Reserve can comfortably balance civilian and military schedules. You can maintain your own life and your own career – enriching both with the rewarding work you do for others.

The Medical Service Corps in the Navy Reserve offers you a truly diverse variety of operational venues. In some cases, you can even work in the same civilian location you work in now. What’s more, you will enjoy an unrivaled sense of pride and fulfillment known only to those who serve.

Wherever you are in your professional career, the Navy can help ease your financial burdens and advance your career with generous financial assistance and continuing education programs.

Graduate Students

In the Navy Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP), you can receive up to $134,600 while finishing a degree. This includes a monthly military salary, a generous housing allowance* and a comprehensive health-care benefits package.

*Navy HSCP housing allowance based on graduate school location. Increased offer amounts available in areas with a higher cost of living.

To qualify for employment consideration as an Environmental Health Officer in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you must meet these basic requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the United States

Bachelor's or master's degree in environmental health from a program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Accreditation Council (EHAC) OR a master's of Public Health degree with a concentration in environmental health from a college of public health accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)

Certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) or Registered Sanitarian (RS) through the National Environmental Health Association or a state agency

Masters applicants should have an undergraduate degree in environmental health or biological life sciences. Physical science degrees, such as chemistry and physics, may be acceptable with additional coursework in the life sciences, such as microbiology, zoology or human physiology

Field experience in an environmental health- or public health-related occupation

Completed graduate-level coursework with GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale

To qualify for employment consideration as an Environmental Health Officer in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you must meet these basic requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the United States

Bachelor's or master's degree in environmental health from a program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Accreditation Council (EHAC) OR a master's of Public Health degree with a concentration in environmental health from a college of public health accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)

Certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) or Registered Sanitarian (RS) through the National Environmental Health Association or a state agency

Masters applicants should have an undergraduate degree in environmental health or biological life sciences. Physical science degrees, such as chemistry and physics, may be acceptable with additional coursework in the life sciences, such as microbiology, zoology or human physiology

Field experience in an environmental health- or public health-related occupation

Completed graduate-level coursework with GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale